I was thinking about researching how to build fish tanks and i figured here would be the best place for some guidance on where to start. Any website or books suggestions? how espesive is it? difficulty?
Building Tanks?
- Thread starter PirateOscar
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You might want to check out the Article section for threads on stuff people have already done as well has lots of helpful links on the subject.
That said, a general tip I would give is that IMO, a DIY tank less than 400-500gallons is hard to pull off cost effectively wise. The real pay off is when going HUGE, like 1000gals plus. For less than 500gals, unless you have a super hookup on materials and don't particularly value your time, its hard to beat premades.
I recently finished my own project, a 2000gal tank. It took 6 months and around 8k in costs. And I made it as simply as possible, using two walls and the concrete floor in my basement corner for three sides. The rest was just two wood frames of 6x6. Needless to say I was way off on my expectation on time to build. And I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy.
That said, a general tip I would give is that IMO, a DIY tank less than 400-500gallons is hard to pull off cost effectively wise. The real pay off is when going HUGE, like 1000gals plus. For less than 500gals, unless you have a super hookup on materials and don't particularly value your time, its hard to beat premades.
I recently finished my own project, a 2000gal tank. It took 6 months and around 8k in costs. And I made it as simply as possible, using two walls and the concrete floor in my basement corner for three sides. The rest was just two wood frames of 6x6. Needless to say I was way off on my expectation on time to build. And I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy.
I tried to build a 90 gallon cheaply it was neither cost effective nor succesfull.
I built a 140 gallon ply tank succefully but i had ended up putting way more into it then intended and was alot of work.
Here is my price list for the succesfull 140 gallon.
3/4 '' spruce free (3 SHEETS)
2'' wood screws free
3 gallons fiberglass resin 80.00 a gallon (may have been able to find cheaper)
1 gallon automotive putty 30.00
1 gallon drinkingwater grade two part epoxy marine paint 60.00
1/4 float glass 119.00 (May have been to thin on a 8' long by 18'' build)
note (I have found 1/4 float glass succesfull by 18'' height by 24'' wide by 4' long.
I built a 140 gallon ply tank succefully but i had ended up putting way more into it then intended and was alot of work.
Here is my price list for the succesfull 140 gallon.
3/4 '' spruce free (3 SHEETS)
2'' wood screws free
3 gallons fiberglass resin 80.00 a gallon (may have been able to find cheaper)
1 gallon automotive putty 30.00
1 gallon drinkingwater grade two part epoxy marine paint 60.00
1/4 float glass 119.00 (May have been to thin on a 8' long by 18'' build)
note (I have found 1/4 float glass succesfull by 18'' height by 24'' wide by 4' long.
http://www.jonolavsakvarium.com/eng_diy/2200litre/2200litres.html
i alway's this guy did a good job!!!
i alway's this guy did a good job!!!
Yes it is an i used from expearience and it was this one.
http://www.garf.org/140.gallon.html
The above link is a good one to.
http://www.garf.org/140.gallon.html
The above link is a good one to.
I spent about $1500 building my 600G tank. But I can get glass real cheap from where I work. my 84x29x.5 tempered was $150.
i have a 65 gal with a oscar and a pleco in it, and enjoy them but its addicting i would love to have a bigger one and get other predatory monsters. seeing as how im in college and have the typical college funds it looks like im going to stick with the 65 gal for now. i would love to gradually get bigger tanks, but when im in a more permenant location and the bank account is a more attractive.
i figured that building one 100 gal or so would be cheaper, but it doesnt appear that way. Ill still read up on it and see if i can come accross some materials cheap, i guess ill just start checking craigs list on a regular basis, but its been slim pickings around the Carolina area
i figured that building one 100 gal or so would be cheaper, but it doesnt appear that way. Ill still read up on it and see if i can come accross some materials cheap, i guess ill just start checking craigs list on a regular basis, but its been slim pickings around the Carolina area